In the Bleak Midwinter

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Christina Rossetti, portrayed by her brother

In the Bleak Midwinter ( In the middle of the cold winter ) is a Christian poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). It has been set to music many times and has become a frequently sung carol . Well-known settings are by Gustav Holst (1874–1934), under the title Cranham , and by Harold Darke from the 20th century.

The hymnologist and theologian Ian Bradley questioned the theology of the poem: "Is it right to say that heaven cannot hold God, nor the earth sustain, and what about heaven and earth fleeing away when he comes to reign?" However, in Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8.27) it says: “For should God really dwell on earth? Behold, heaven and the heavens of all heavens cannot contain you; how should this house that I built do? "

Concerning the passage “heaven and earth fleeing away”, many New Testament apocalyptic passages use such language, e. B. 2 Peter 3.10-11: “The heavens [will melt] with a great crash; but the elements will melt from the heat, and the earth and the works on it will burn up. So now all this is to dissolve, how shall you be skilled with holy walk and godly nature, that you wait and hurry to the future of the day of the Lord, on which the heavens will melt with fire and the elements will melt with heat! "

text

English translation

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen,
Snow on snow,

Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God incarnate,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day
A breast full of milk
And a manger full of hay.
Enough for him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But his mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him -
Give my heart.

In the middle of the cold winter
with a biting cold wind,
the earth hard as iron,
the water like a stone,
snow had fallen,
snow on snow,

Snow on snow, in the
middle of the cold winter
a long time ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor the earth support him;
Heaven and earth will flee
when He comes to rule.
In the middle of the cold winter
a stable was enough for him,
God the Lord in human form,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him whom cherubs
worship day and night,
a breast full of milk
and a manger full of hay;
Enough for Him, before whom angels
fall on their knees,
whom ox and donkey and camel
worship.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
and cherubins and seraphins
fill the air.
But only his mother,
in her virginal happiness,
paid homage to the beloved
with a kiss.

What can I give Him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring him a lamb;
If I were a wise man,
I would contribute my own;
But what I can give him:
I give my heart.

Web links

Videos

St. Paul's choir sings "In the desolate winter"

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The story behind the carol: In the bleak midwinter , Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph , December 14, 2007, UK.
  2. ↑ http://bibel-online.net/buch/luther_1912/1_koenige/8/#27
  3. ↑ http://bibel-online.net/buch/luther_1912/2_petrus/3/#10